A good day trip from London by train starts with a station you can walk away from. These destinations pair the rail ride with something clear to do on foot, whether that means turning toward a cathedral, following a…
Items 35 The creator’s order
1 Oxford Take a direct train from Paddington or Marylebone to Oxford station. Walk east into the center, with the Ashmolean a good first stop before the university lanes and the old college buildings. Book or check the individual college you want to visit, as access varies. 0 2 University of Cambridge Take a train from King’s Cross to Cambridge station. The large university landmarks are about a 20-minute walk away through the city. Start at the Fitzwilliam Museum or King’s Parade and continue to the river if you want an unhurried introduction to the colleges. 0 3 Bath, Somerset Take the direct Paddington train to Bath Spa. Walk uphill from the station through the center to the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, then continue toward the Royal Crescent if you'd like a longer route. The compact first stretch makes a museum and a walk fit comfortably into one day. 0 4 Royal Pavilion Take a direct train from Victoria to Brighton. Walk down toward the Royal Pavilion for its distinctive domes, then cut through the Lanes before reaching the sea. The route gives you town and waterfront in one direction. Allow longer for the uphill walk to the station. 0 5 York Take a King’s Cross train to York. Start with the city walls near the station or walk straight toward York Minster. The National Railway Museum is on the station side of the center and makes a good first stop if you are traveling with someone who likes trains. 0 6 Hampton Court Palace Take a Waterloo train to Hampton Court. Cross Hampton Court Bridge on foot for the palace entrance. The bridge is a good first view of the riverside setting, and the palace and gardens are together on the far side. 0 7 Canterbury Cathedral Choose the high-speed St Pancras train to Canterbury West. Cross toward the center for the cathedral precinct and the medieval lanes around it. Walk along the Stour on the way back if you want a quieter end to the visit. 0 8 St Albans Take Thameslink from St Pancras to St Albans City. The walk up through the center puts the cathedral first. Verulamium Park is downhill beyond it, so you can add Roman remains and an outdoor stretch without planning another leg by train. 0 9 Guildford Take a Waterloo train to Guildford. Cross the Wey into town and climb the High Street for the castle grounds or turn along the river for an easier first walk. This is a useful choice if the group would like views with little time between the station and the first stop. 0 10 Hastings Take a Southeastern service from Charing Cross or London Bridge to Hastings. Walk downhill to the seafront, then east to the Old Town and the tall black fishing net huts. It takes longer to get to the historic end of the beach than the first view of the sea. 0 
OxfordTake a direct train from Paddington or Marylebone to Oxford station. Walk east into the center, with the Ashmolean a good first stop before the university lanes and the old college buildings. Book or check the individual college you want to visit, as access varies.0
University of CambridgeTake a train from King’s Cross to Cambridge station. The large university landmarks are about a 20-minute walk away through the city. Start at the Fitzwilliam Museum or King’s Parade and continue to the river if you want an unhurried introduction to the colleges.0
Bath, SomersetTake the direct Paddington train to Bath Spa. Walk uphill from the station through the center to the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, then continue toward the Royal Crescent if you'd like a longer route. The compact first stretch makes a museum and a walk fit comfortably into one day.0
Royal PavilionTake a direct train from Victoria to Brighton. Walk down toward the Royal Pavilion for its distinctive domes, then cut through the Lanes before reaching the sea. The route gives you town and waterfront in one direction. Allow longer for the uphill walk to the station.0
YorkTake a King’s Cross train to York. Start with the city walls near the station or walk straight toward York Minster. The National Railway Museum is on the station side of the center and makes a good first stop if you are traveling with someone who likes trains.0
Hampton Court PalaceTake a Waterloo train to Hampton Court. Cross Hampton Court Bridge on foot for the palace entrance. The bridge is a good first view of the riverside setting, and the palace and gardens are together on the far side.0
Canterbury CathedralChoose the high-speed St Pancras train to Canterbury West. Cross toward the center for the cathedral precinct and the medieval lanes around it. Walk along the Stour on the way back if you want a quieter end to the visit.0
St AlbansTake Thameslink from St Pancras to St Albans City. The walk up through the center puts the cathedral first. Verulamium Park is downhill beyond it, so you can add Roman remains and an outdoor stretch without planning another leg by train.0
GuildfordTake a Waterloo train to Guildford. Cross the Wey into town and climb the High Street for the castle grounds or turn along the river for an easier first walk. This is a useful choice if the group would like views with little time between the station and the first stop.0
HastingsTake a Southeastern service from Charing Cross or London Bridge to Hastings. Walk downhill to the seafront, then east to the Old Town and the tall black fishing net huts. It takes longer to get to the historic end of the beach than the first view of the sea.0